Thomas Hastings was born on 3 July 1790. He entered the navy in September 1803, and was promoted toLieutenant of on 17 January 1810. He was first lieutenant of the Undaunted when she took Napoleon to Elba in 1814, and kept watch over the island for some time aftwerards. After the peace Hastings continued in active service, principally in the Mediterranean, until he was promoted to the rank of commander on 9 May 1825.

In April 1832 he took command of the training ship Excellent, which became the Navy's first gunnery school, and became known for his training methods. He held this post for thirteen years, during the last six of which he was also superintendent of the Royal Naval College at Portsmouth. He was knighted on 5 July 1839 and left command of Excellent on 28 August 1845, shortly after his appointment as Storekeeper of the Ordnance on 25 July 1845. He held that post until it was abolished with the dissolution of the Board of Ordnance in 1855. On 27 September 1855 he was promoted rear admiral, and on 4 October 1862 vice admiral. On 2 April 1866, he retired from the navy with the rank of admiral. He died on 3 January 1870 at his home in London.

Thomas Hastings married Louisa Elizabeth Lowe in 1827. He died in London on 3 January 1870.